Ethan Embry and Li Jun Li Break Down the Psychological Unraveling at the Heart of ‘Alma and the Wolf’

Ethan Embry and Li Jun Li (LiLi) deliver transformative performances in Alma and the Wolf, a haunting psychological thriller that blurs the line between reality and projection. As Deputy Ren Accord and Alma, a woman seen through the fractured lens of Ren’s unraveling mind, the two navigate a world teetering on the edge of perception. Ethan’s portrayal of a man collapsing under the weight of grief is raw and lived-in, while LiLi’s take on Alma captures both the grounded reality of who she is and the distorted version Ren clings to—making every moment layered with tension, intimacy, and ambiguity.

Set in the quiet town of Spiral Creek, the film opens in the wake of a brutal animal attack that unsettles the community. As suspicion spreads and tensions rise, Ren grows increasingly consumed by the need to protect his family. But when his son disappears without a trace, the search leads him down a path that’s as disorienting as it is personal—where time slips, motives blur, and nothing is quite as it seems.

Pop Culturalist sat down with Ethan and LiLi to dive into the emotional and symbolic layers of Alma and the Wolf. The duo reflected on the trust and vulnerability it took to bring these characters to life, the unexpected moments that cracked them open on set, and how director Michael Patrick Jann cultivated an environment where they could fully let go. From the physical toll of the role to the psychological depths it demanded, their performances are a testament to what can happen when the right story meets the right collaborators.

PC: Ethan, tonally, this film plays in so many different spaces, but at its core, it’s about a man who’s unraveling—and there’s such a groundedness to your performance. You can feel the weight he’s carrying, and it feels so lived in. How did you create that space for yourself to step into that vulnerability? How much did the physicality of the role and the environment aid in that discovery?
Ethan: Thank you. I appreciate the kind words—I’m glad that came through. That was one of the things that really appealed to me about this project. When you first read the script, you understand what needs to happen to tell this story, and that was really motivating for me. I wanted to know if I could do it—if I could take on the physical elements, if I could handle the emotional ones. There’s still one more sense of accomplishment that hasn’t arrived yet, which is how the film is received. So hearing you say that it landed means a lot. But I also had small moments of accomplishment every day—just showing up, getting through the day, doing the work. That felt great.

As far as the emotional aspect beyond the physical—I honestly didn’t know if I could do it until I did it. I didn’t have a plan. I never knew exactly what’s going to happen. I remember one day, I was supposed to be emotionally distraught. And I didn’t know if I, Ethan, could get there. I remember our crew—who were the most incredible group of people, and we couldn’t have made this movie without them—Amber [Arpin], our makeup artist, I pulled her aside right before we said “action” because I just needed a hug. I needed some physical connection. And when she hugged me—because I felt so safe with her—I broke down. I had no idea that’s what I would need in that moment, or that it would get me to that place emotionally. It’s not something I can plan.

It’s because of Michael and the way he communicated, because of the environment we were in, because of how game LiLi was and how we were able to build that closeness—all of those things created the safe space where I was able to give that performance.

PC: LiLi, you’re truly having such a well-deserved moment. Every role you take on feels completely distinct from the last. I’d love to hear a bit about building the contrast in this character, because we get to see Alma both through her own perspective and through Ren’s, filtered through a fragmented reality.
LiLi: That’s exactly how I saw it. That’s what happens when trauma goes unaddressed—it fractures your sense of self. Your reality becomes skewed. You lose track of time and memory. Alma is a projection of Ren’s psyche. Alma, the Wolf, and the Goats each represent something within him. The Wolf probably symbolizes his alcoholism. The Goats feel like the quiet observers. And Alma is the person he wishes he could be.

I’ve said this before, but she’s also female because she represents a version of himself that he feels safer connecting with—more open, more vulnerable.I’ve said this before, but she’s also female because she represents a version of himself that he feels safer connecting with—more open, more vulnerable.

And I just want to add to what Ethan said earlier: he’s one of the most hardworking, generous, and giving actors I’ve ever worked with. The way he carries all that pain—it’s deeply inspiring.

PC: Ethan, there are so many twists and turns in this film—it keeps audiences on the edge of their seat. Yet you play each moment so truthfully, without letting the eventual outcome shape your performance. Is it as effortless as you make it seem? How do you find that balance?
Ethan: Michael. The fact that it comes across that way is a testament to him. The way he communicates with us as actors is really special. My job is to bring his vision to life, and he’s so clear and precise in what he wants that I was never left guessing. When that uncertainty is removed, it makes everything easier—it frees me up to just be present in the moment.

PC: LiLi, speaking of that emotional rollercoaster—there’s a moment in the final act that’s so quiet, yet deeply affecting. How did your preparation for that scene differ from the others, especially given how much restraint it required compared to the emotional intensity leading up to it?
LiLi: I think that’s just part of being an actor—learning how to compartmentalize and leave everything else at the door. It wasn’t all that different from how I approached preparing for Alma. Once I knew the reveal, I had to go back and deliberately avoid tapping into what unfolds later. It takes a lot of discipline—practice, denial, deflection, and staying grounded in the moment.

Make sure to follow Ethan (X/Instagram) and LiLi (X/Instagram). Alma and the Wolf is out wherever you stream movies.